The University of Houston’s C.T. Bauer College of Business will help create 300 new small businesses in Houston over the next year thanks to a $2.3 million continuation grant from the Small Business Administration, according to a press release from the university.

The grant has been awarded to the Bauer College’s Small Business Development Center, which serves 32 counties along the Gulf Coast and is one of four of the regional headquarters offices in Texas.

“We work with everything from taco shops to medical offices, printing shops to tech companies and cleaning firms to manufacturing companies,” said Steven Lawrence, executive director of the center and a research professor at Bauer. “A broad spectrum of people want to start their own businesses.”

The SBDC works with about 10,000 businesses a year through services that include advising, business planning, financial proposals, and assessing sources of funding and market needs, according to the release. Entrepreneurs can also expand their business with classes on taxes, marketing and cash flow analysis through the center.

“The mission of the UH SBDC is to help Houston do what Houston does best―build something from nothing, pick ourselves up in the face of challenge and adversity to rebuild, and challenge the norm to innovate and create,” Bauer College dean Latha Ramchand said. “Small business is the lifeblood of the American economy, and in my mind, no other city but Houston demonstrates the impact that can be made with the determination, persistence and passion of small business owners.”

The SBDC Network has 15 service centers operating with other universities, colleges and economic development organizations in 32 counties in Southeast Texas, including Harris, Fort Bend and Galveston Counties, according to the SBDC website.

UH has received funding in the form of a cooperative agreement with the SBA to operate the SBDC since the first year of funding in 1984, according to Lawrence. The highest grant award the university received from SBA was $5 million in 2009 for disaster assistance to small businesses affected by Hurricane Ike, according to Lawrence.

Those interested in seeking assistance for their small business can visit the center's regional office located in Midtown at 2302 Fannin, Ste. 200, Houston, or contact the center by phone or online. 713-752-8444.   [email protected]